Closure



May 28 19 5- c. E. VOKE EET AL CLOSURE Original Filed Jan. 27, 1932 IN VEN TORS, Carl E. Voke C/arence E. Denbow Patented May 28, 1935 Ohio;

said Voke assignor of one-'-tenth to j" Charles S. Loudenslager, Columbus, Ohio Application January 27 8 Claims.

it Our invention relates to closures. It has to do ,'more particularly, with a closure device which is particularly applicable for use with containers of the collapsible type, such as those used for tooth-paste, shaving cream, and similar products, although it is not necessarily limited thereto. i'l'hemmost cormnon type-of closure which is now inauseon containers of the type indicated comprisesa cap which is adapted to be threaded on the upper .end'of such container. To open the; container, it is necessary to, wholly remove the cap therefrom. In many instances, the cap is dropped and is 10st and the contents of the container are left open to. the air, which will tend to dry outthe material, and dust and other impurities, will getinto the, container. .:.There have been many types of closure produced, in anjattempt to overcome such conditionsand most of theseclosures consist of some form of cap which is anchored to-the tube in some'manner; so that it may be slipped off and on the upper end of the tube, but willstill be attached to the tube. However, all of these devices haverbeen extremely complicated and have been very expensive to manufacture, and most of them could not be applied to the common form of container. vFor these and other reasons, they have not been very widely used. Another form of device which has been produced in an attempt to overcome such conditions, comprises a speciallymade tube-having a closure device built in the upper portion thereof. Such a device is too expensive to be suitable for common usage, and also has. other undesirable. features.

.One of the'objects of our invention isto providea closure for containers of the type indicated which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 1

Another objectof our invention is to provide a closure for containers of the type indicated which will automatically open when pressure is applied tto the container and which will automatically' close when pressure is removed.

Another object of our invention is to provide afclosure for containers of the type indicated which is made as a separate unit from the container and which may be applied to any common form of container of the type indicated which is now in general use.

'Anothero-bjectof our invention is to provide an automatic closure for. containers of the type indicated which is made up of a minimum number of parts and. which has a minimum number of'parts which are subjected to wear.

In its preferred form, our invention contem- 1932, Serial No. 589,184 Renewed October 26, 1934 plates the provision of a closure which is automatically operative to open or close the upper end of the container. This closure preferably comprises a cylinder which acts as a plunger and which is mountedinthe, neck of the container in suchv a manner that it is freely slidable therein. This cylinder is provided with anropen lower end and the upper end thereof is provided with a plate having an opening therein which is adapted.

to seat; on the head of a pin which is mounted centrally within the neck of the tube. 'A spring is mounted in surrounding-relation to the cylinder at its lower end and is adapted to return the cylinder to its original position after the pres sure which hascaused itto move upwardly has been released. 1 .t a

The. preferred embodiment of; our invention is shown in the accompanying drawing. wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure *1 isa perspective view of our novel form of closure device which is mounted in the upper end of a container: f 1 y r Figure 2 is anview, partly; in section, showing ourclosure device removed from the container, and showing a slightly-different form of collar in which the cylinder reciprocates.

Figure 3 is a view showing our closure device mounted in the upper end of a container, and being' in closed position, the upper portion of the container and the closure device being shown in section.

. Figure 4;is a view, similar to Figure 3, showing the closure injopen position.

Figure 5 is a view showinga modified form of our invention.

Withreference to the drawing, wehave shown.

a container l which is ofa collapsible type and which is of a typegenerally used-for containing. tooth-paste, shaving cream, paints, or other such substances. .This container is provided with a narrow threaded neck; portion 2 in which our closure device 3 is adapted to be mounted.

Our closure device comprises a collar 4 which is of slightly less diametenthan-the neck 2 of the container and which is adapted to fit tightly therein. Thiscollar is provided with a series of annulargrooves 5 which are formed in theouter periphery thereof: When the collar is inserted into the neck 2' of the containen the walls of the neck may be pressed inwardly, inasmuch as such containers are usually made of soft metal, and this will cause metal to enter the grooves 5 and will i hold the collar securely in position.

However, if. desired, the collar may be provided,

'ing ends of the legs 8 which act as a support The legs 8 are preferably made of for a pin 9. some resilient material so that they may be slightly contracted in order to insert them into the collar 5 and,v when they come opposite the: apertures 7, they will snap into place. We have shown three legs supporting the pin 9 but it will be understood that any number of these may be" provided. It will be seen readily from the drawing that the pin 9 is mounted centrally within the collar A. It will be understood that the pin and its support, which is formed by the legs 8,

may be made integral with the collar 4 or'may be mounted therein in any other suitable manner.

A cylinder I0 is adapted to be mounted within the collar- 5 in such a manner that it is freely slidable therein. This cylinder Ill comprises a body portion. H which is provided with a number of longitudinal slots l2'through which the legs 8 are adapted to pass. It will be readily understood that these slots II are provided so that the-cylinder l0 may slide back and forth in the collar 4 without interfering with the legs 8. These slots may be of any suitable length.

' The upper end of the cylinder is provided with a cap l3 which may be formed as an integral part thereof or which may be made as 'a separate part'and may be mounted thereon in any suitable manner. This cap I3 is preferably pro- :vided with a convex portion 14 which is in turn provided with an opening 15' that is adapted to seat on a head ['6 formed on the upper end of pin 9, when the cylinder is in its lowermost'positiona The head l6 of the pin 9 is preferably convex in form and is adapted to seat in the opening I5 formed in the cap-member l3 in such a manner that an air-tight fit will be secured between the Walls of the opening IS- and the surface of the head l6. It will be understood that, if desired,

. the cap [3 which is formed on the upper end of the cylinder i0 maybe flat.

The cylinder I0 is further provided with a flange i8 which is form-ed on its lower end. This flange extends only a short distance from I the outer walls of the cylinder so that the lower end of the cylinder is freely slidablewithin the neck 2 of the container. A spring [9 is mounted in surrounding relation to the cylinder Hi and the upper end of this spring is adapted to abut against the lower end of the collar 4, while the lower end of the spring is adapted to abut against the flange l8. It will be understood that, when the cylinder I0 is forced upwardly, the spring 19 will be compressed and, as soon as pressure is released, the spring Will again expand and will return the cylinder to its original position.

In using our device, when the screw cap of an ordinary tooth-paste, shaving cream, or other similar container is removed, our device. is inserted into the upper end of the tube, in a'manner which will be readily apparent. When the device is in closed position, the various .parts will occupy the positions shown in Figure3. When it is desired to: dispense material from the tube I, pressure is applied to the tube which causes it to collapse. This will cause the material therein to move upwardly in the cylinder Ill and will exert a force on the under surface of the cap I3. This will cause the cylinder In to move upwardly against the force of spring l9. When the cylinder moves upwardly, the cap l3 will move away from the head It of the pin 9 and will allow material to flow through the opening [5 (Figure 4). As soon as the pressure which caused the tube I to collapse has been removed, the spring IE) will cause the cylinder ill to return to its original position. It will be understood that the entire contents of the tube may be discharged in this manner.

In Figure 5, we have shown a modified form of our device. In this modified form, we have provided a collar .20 which is provided with grooves 2! on the outer periphery thereof. This collar is adapted to be inserted into the neck of the container and it will be understood that, after itis in place, the walls of the-neck may be pressed inwardly, which causes metal to enter the grooves 21 and to hold the collar in position. However, the collar 26 may be provided with threads for holding it in place .on the neck.

A cylinder 22 is adapted to be slidably mounted in the collar 20. This cylinder is provided with a'closed upper end'23 and an open lower end 2 3. This cylinder is further provided with an opening 2% which is formed in one side thereof, near its upper end. At its lower end, the cylinder is provided with a flange 26 formed thereon, and a flange 26' formed on its upper end. A spring 21 is mounted in surroundingrelation to the lower end of the cylinder and this spring has its lower end abutting against the flange 25 and its upper end abutting against the lower end of the collar 20. The flange 26' will prevent the cylinder from being drawn down into the neck 2 too far.

In the operation of this modified form of our device, pressure is applied to the tube which causes it to collapse. This will cause the material to flow up into the cylinder 22 and will exert a force on the upper closed end 23 of the cylinder. This will move the cylinder upwardly until the opening 25 has passed the upper end of the neck and will thereby allow the material to issue therefrom. As soon as the pressure on the tube is removed, the cylinder 22 will be returned immediately to its original position and will shut off the flow of material from the tube.

It will be seen readily from this description above that we have produced a novel form of closure device which may be easily applied to any common form of container of the type indicated. It will be seen further that this device is of such a character that the entire contents of the container may be dispensed therefrom. It will also be seen that this device is automatically operative to allow material to flow from the container or to tightly close the container. It will be seen further that this device is very simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and easily applied to the common form of container of the type indicated.

- Having thus-described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A closure for collapsible containers comprising a collar adapted to be mounted in the neck of said container, a cylindrical member slidably mounted in said collar, said cylindrical member having an open lower end, a cap on said cylindrical member, an opening in said cap, a pin mounted centrally within said cylindrical member, said pin having a head formed thereon which is adapted to seat in "said opening when the cylindrical member is in its lowermost position, said cylindrical member being adapted to be moved upwardly to unseat said head from said opening by pressure applied to the body portion of said container, andaspring mounted in surrounding relation to said cylindrical member, said spring being adapted to return the cylindrical member to its lowermost-position after such pressure has been released. r i

2. A closure for collapsible containers or the like comprising a cylindrical member slidably mounted on the neck of saidcontainer, said cylindrical member having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an aperture formed in said closed upper end, a member mounted within said cylindrical member and having a portion adapted to seat in said aperture when the cylindrical member is in its lowermost position, said cylindrical member being adapted to be moved upwardly to unseat said portion from said opening by pressure applied to the body portion of said container, and a spring mounted in surrounding relation to said cylindrical member and being adapted to return said cylindrical member to its lowermost position after the pressure has been released, all of the parts of said closure unit being combined as a separate unit which is placed as a whole in its position on the neck of said container.

3. A closure for collapsible containers or the like comprising a collar adapted to be mounted in the neck of said container, a cylindrical member slidably mounted in said collar, said cylindrical member having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an aperture formed in said closed end, a member mounted within said cylindrical member and having a portion adapted to seat in said aperture when the cylindrical member is in its lowermost position, said cylindrical member being adapted to be moved up wardly to unseat saidportion from said opening by pressure applied to the body portion of said container, means for positively returning said cylindrical member to its lowermost position when the pressure is released, said means comprising a spring mounted in surrounding relation to said cylindrical member, said spring having one end abutting against said collar and the opposite end abutting against a flange formed on said cylindrical member.

4. A closure for collapsible containers or the like comprising a collar adapted to be mounted in the neck of said container, a plunger slidably mounted in said collar, said plunger having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an opening formed in one side of said cylindrical member, said opening being adapted to lie within the neck of said container when the plunger is in its lowermost position, said plunger being adapted to be moved upwardly by pressure applied to the body portion of said container, and a spring mounted in surrounding relation to said plunger and being adapted to positively return the plunger to its lowermost position after the pressure is released, such spring having one end abutting against said collar and the opposite end abutting against a flange formed on said plunger.

5. A closure unit for collapsible containers or the like comprising a collar member, a hollow plunger mounted in said collar member in such a manner that it may reciprocate therein, said hollow plunger being of greater height than the height of said collar member and having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an opening in the wall of said hollow plunger, said opening being closed by a member forming a part of said closure unit when the plunger is in its lowermost position and open when said plunger is in its uppermost position, means for limiting the lowermost position of said plunger, a compression spring mounted in surrounding relation to said hollow plunger and having its upper end abutting the lower end of said collar and its lower end abutting an outwardly extending flange on the lower end of said plunger, said spring being adapted to normally maintain said plunger in its lowermost position, all of the parts of said closure unit being combined as a separate unit which'is placed as a whole into a hollow extension on the upper end of said container, the collar of said closure unit being secured in said hollow extension, said plunger being movable upwardly to allow the contents of said container to discharge from said opening when pressure is applied to said collapsible container and said spring being adapted to return said plunger to its normal position to close said opening when such pressure on the walls of said collapsible container is released.

6. A closure unit for collapsible containers or the like comprising a collar member, a hollow plunger mounted in said collar member in such a manner that it may reciprocate therein, said hollow plunger being of greater height than the height of said collar member and having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an opening formed in one side of said plunger adjacent its upper end, said opening being adapted to be closed by said collar member within which it will lie when in its lowermost position, means for limiting the lowermost position of said plunger, a compression spring mounted in surrounding relation to said hollow plunger and having its upper end abutting the lower end of said collar member and its lower end abutting an outwardly extending flange on the lower end of said plunger, said spring being adapted to normally maintain said plunger in its lowermost position, all of the parts of said closure unit being combined as a.

separate unit which is placed as a whole into a hollow extension on the upper end of said container, the collar of said closure unit being secured in said hollow extension, said plunger being movable upwardly to dispose said opening above the upper edge of said collar member and said hollow extension to allow the contents of said container to discharge from said opening when pressure is applied to said collapsible container, and said spring being adapted to return said plunger to its normal position with the opening disposed within said collar member when such pressure on the walls of said collapsible container is released to stop discharge of the contents of said container.

7. A closure unit for collapsible containers or the like comprising a collar member, a hollow plunger mounted in said collar member in such amanner that it may reciprocate therein, said hollow plunger having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an opening formed in one side of said plunger adjacent its upper end, means for limiting the lowermost position of said plunger, a spring member adapted to normally maintain said plunger in its lowermost position, all of the parts of said closure unit being combined as a separate unit which is placed as a whole into a hollow extension on the upper end of said container, the collar of said closure unit being secured in said hollow extension, said plunger being movable upwardly to dispose the said opening above the upper edge of said hollow extension to allow the contents of said container 5 to discharge from said opening when pressure is applied to said collapsible container, and said spring being adapted to return said plunger to its normal position with the opening disposed Within said hollow extension when such pressure on the walls of said collapsible container is released to stop discharge of the contents of said container.

8. Aclosure unit for collapsible containers or the like comprising a collar member, a hollow plunger mounted in said collar member in such a manner that it may reciprocate therein, said hollow plunger having an open lower end and a closed upper end, an opening in the wall of said hollow plunger, said opening being closed by a member forming a part of said closure unit when the plunger is in its lowermost position and open when said plunger is in its uppermost position, means for limiting the lowermost position of said plunger, a spring member adapted to normally maintain said plunger in its lowermost position, all of the parts of said closure unit being combined as a separate unit which is placed as .a whole into a hollow extension on the upper end of said container, the collar of said closure unit being secured in said hollow extension, said plunger being movable upwardly to allow the contents of said container to discharge through said opening when pressure is applied to the Walls of said collapsible container, and said spring being adapted to return said plunger to its normal position when such pressure on the walls of said collapsible container is released to stop discharge of the contents of said container,

CARL E. VOKE. CLARENCE E. DENBOW. 

